ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY

ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY  - The anterior cruciate ligament can be injured in several ways:

• Changing direction rapidly
• Stopping suddenly
• Slowing down while running
• Landing from a jump incorrectly
• Direct contact or collision, such as a football tackle

Several studies have shown that female athletes have a higher incidence of ACL injury than male athletes in certain sports. It has been proposed that this is due to differences in physical conditioning, muscular strength, and neuromuscular control. Other suggested causes include differences in pelvis and lower extremity (leg) alignment, increased looseness in ligaments, and the effects of estrogen on ligament properties.

When you injure your anterior cruciate ligament, you might hear a "popping" noise and you may feel your knee give out from under you. Other typical symptoms include:

• Pain with swelling. Within 24 hours, your knee will swell. If ignored, the swelling and pain may resolve on its own. However, if you attempt to return to sports, your knee will probably be unstable and you risk causing further damage to the cushioning cartilage (meniscus) of your knee.
• Loss of full range of motion
• Tenderness along the joint line
• Discomfort while walking

HERNIATED NUCLEUS PULPOSUS (SLIPPED DISK)

HERNIATED NUCLEUS PULPOSUS (SLIPPED DISK) - A herniated nucleus pulposus is a slipped disk along the spinal cord. The condition occurs when all or part of the soft center of a spinal disk is forced through a weakened part of the disk. The bones (vertebrae) of the spinal column run down the back, connecting the skull to the pelvis. These bones protect nerves that come out of the brain and travel down the back and to the entire body. The spinal vertebrae are separated by disks filled with a soft, gelatinous substance, which provide cushioning to the spinal column. These disks may herniate or rupture from trauma or strain. Radiculopathy refers to any disease affecting the spinal nerve roots. A herniated disk is one cause of radiculopathy. 

SYMPTOMS OF HERNIATED LUMBAR DISK
Severe low back pain
Pain radiating to the buttocks, legs, and feet
Pain made worse with coughing, straining, or laughing
Tingling or numbness in legs or feet
Muscle weakness or atrophy in later stages
Muscle spasm

SYMPTOMS OF HERNIATED CERVICAL DISK
Neck pain, especially in the back and sides
Deep pain near or over the shoulder blades on the affected side
Pain radiating to the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and rarely the hand, fingers or chest
Pain made worse with coughing, straining, or laughing
Increased pain when bending the neck or turning head to the side
Spasm of the neck muscles
Arm muscle weakness